Bhutan is building a”mindfulness” city to welcome tourists

(Worldkings.org) Bhutan, a country nestled in the Himalayas, is planning to build a new city aimed at attracting tourists. The new city, named Gelephu Mindful City, will be constructed near the town of Gelephu, along the Bhutan-India border.

Size and Location

The new city will span 1,000 km2, larger than the island nation of Singapore, occupying 2.5% of the country's land area. It will serve as an important economic hub and a gateway for tourists wishing to explore the country.

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Philosophy of Mindfulness

What sets this project apart is that it is built on the philosophy of bringing happiness to its people. According to the Bhutanese government's announcement, the new city will prioritize not only economic development but also the welfare of all its residents.

Structure and Planning

The city will use materials like wood for housing construction. According to the plan, there will be 11 "ribbon-like neighborhoods" located around 35 rivers and streams. To prevent flooding, rice fields will be built along the rivers.

Illustration of the city. Source: *Bjarke Ingels Group*

Project Progress

The city has begun building a new international airport and dry port, but the completion date has not been announced. In December 2023, Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck said the country is "not trapped by heritage" and can quickly innovate to implement plans that many other countries may hesitate to pursue.

With these plans and progress, Bhutan is paving a new path for tourism, with a new city embodying the philosophy of happiness, promising to attract many tourists in the future.

According to Internet